River North (or RiNo, as it’s locally known) is where art is made. This beautiful art district boasts historic warehouses, eclectic music venues, and plenty of galleries and studios.
From the stunning graffiti murals to the local boutiques, this neighborhood is bursting with personality.
If you’re thinking about moving to River North Art District in Denver, this neighborhood guide will give you everything you need to know.
Looking for the best neighborhoods in Denver? Check out our Golden Triangle neighbhorhood guide next.
A short history
The RiNo Art District was once an industrial hub, home to foundries, pattern shops, and other industrial enterprises that helped build Denver’s economy. During the 80s, the industry began moving to the city’s core, leaving vacant warehouses and commercial buildings in RiNo.
As prices were affordable and there was plenty of space, artists began moving in. In 2005, Tracy Weil and Jill Hadley-Hooper created the River North Art District, and the creative community flourished.
Now, River North Arts District is a hub of creative businesses, including art galleries, furniture makers, photographers, architects, and more. It’s got a small population of just over 5,200 and a strong community vibe that draws in a young crowd.
Top things to do
If you’re visiting RiNo for the first time, there are a few things you won’t want to miss.
Go Mural Hunting
Hunting for murals in RiNo isn’t a hard task – they are everywhere. Local artists have covered the neighborhood in street art for everyone to enjoy. Make sure to check out “Reverberations” between 25th and 26th Streets and “Larimer Boy and Girl” on 27th and Larimer Street – both pieces are incredible.
Take a Tour of the Infinite Monkey Theorem
This urban winery was founded in 2008 and sources grapes right here in Colorado. Their goal is to create accessible wines, and many are even canned and sold locally. The tour takes a few hours, but it’s interesting to see how this local winery makes its delicious wine.
Bike Around the Neighborhood
The RiNo District is small, so it’s easy to cycle around when exploring. You’ll find four B-cycle stations throughout the neighborhood where you can rent a bike for the day. To get to know the district, you can also download Denver Story Trek and get a guided tour of the historic landmarks as you ride around.
Take a Class at Epic Ryde
If the weather is a little gloomy, Epic Ryde is a fantastic stadium filled with indoor bikes. There are cycling classes for all skill levels, and the instructors make the classes incredibly fun.
Real estate
If you’re looking to buy a home in RiNo, the median home price is $575.5k. Houses don’t come on the market often, and they sell fast, so be ready if you’re serious about getting into this neighborhood.
If you’re a renter, the average monthly rent for an apartment in RiNo is $2,122, which is significantly higher than the national average of $1,706 but still cheaper than Downtown Denver.
Some of the best apartments in RiNo Denver, CO, are:
- Hartley Flats
- City Gate
- Clocktower Lofts
- The Douglas Apartments
- Link 35
Favorite places
With so much to do and see in RiNo Denver, you’ll never get bored living in this creative neighborhood.
Art + Culture
RiNo is packed with art galleries, exhibitions, and boutiques where you can buy local art.
- The EXDO Event Center is a converted 1940s warehouse that hosts concerts, fashion shows, and roller skating parties.
- Modern Nomad is a design collective for vintage furniture, textiles, lighting, and accessories.
- Dateline is a wonderful art gallery that showcases contemporary art from local artists.
Best places to grab a bite
Whether you’re looking for a quick bite for lunch or a meal out to celebrate, there are some great restaurants in River North Denver.
- Acorn is located in The Source and has a seasonal menu of contemporary American dishes (and some tasty cocktails!).
- Cart-Driver is our favorite pizza place operating out of a shipping container.
- Dio Mio is the place to get Italian cuisine. Their homemade pasta is out of this world.
Best bars for a drink
RiNo is no stranger to craft beer, and many local breweries call this district home.
- The 10 Barrel Brewing Co has a great brewpub attached to a full-service restaurant – the perfect spot for date night.
- Black Shirt Brewing is known for its rock and roll gigs and delicious brews.
- Blue Moon Brewing Company is one of the most popular spots in the area, and the location of the brewery alone is worth the visit. With 20 rotating taps, you’ll see why people keep going back.
Best outdoor spaces
One of the best things about RiNo is the outdoor lifestyle. The entire district has two-way bike lanes, making it easy to get around. There are also regular walking tours with Denver Graffiti Tour if you want to learn the history behind the murals.
You’ll also find Denver’s oldest park nearby – Mestizo-Curtis Park has open green spaces and picnic spots, perfect for families and pets.
Cost of Living & Employment
River North is a small, creative community, but there are great employment opportunities. The median household annual income in RiNo Denver is $69,882, and the monthly housing costs are around $1,524.
It’s a fairly expensive neighborhood, but that’s a reflection of the lifestyle that comes with living in an art district. Needless to say, locals will tell you that this neighborhood is worth the price tag.
Thinking of Moving to River North, Denver?
If you’re looking for a neighborhood filled with art and creativity, you can’t get much better than RiNo. This district is perfect for artists, makers, designers, and other creatives.
Planning on buying your first home? Here’s the entire house buying process explained.